Wreath



R. J. BROWN Sept. 4, 1956 WREATH Filed June 28 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l Robert J- Brown I INVENTOR. Mm. BY M p 4, 1956 R. J. BROWN 2,761,233

' WREATH Fild June 28, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Robert J. Brown IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent WREATH Robert J. Brown, Norfolk, Va. Application lune 28, 1954, Serial No. 439,750

1 Claim. or. 41-12 This invention relates to a wreath, and more specifically provides a decorative or ornamental 'wreath that is illuminated and providedwith a changeable scene wherein the wreath may be utilized during various holidays and for various purposes. 9

An object of this invention isfito provide a wreath for supporting a plurality of plants having stems thereon wherein the stems are embedded in moisture containing material for retaining the plants or foliage in a fresh and unwilted condition.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wreath having illuminating means together with a changeable panel having a suitable scene thereon depicting events peculiar to certain holiday seasons.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide a wreath that is simple in construction, attractive in appearance, versatile in utility, well adapted for its intended purposes and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the wreath of the present invention showing foliage positioned on approximately one-half of the Wreath;

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the construction of Figure l; V

Figure 3 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken substantially along section line 3-3 of Figure 1 showing the details of construction of the wreath of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a front view of the removable panel;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Fi ure 3 showing the arrangement of the projections on each side of the annular member for retaining the separable panel of the annular member; and

Figure 6 is a detailed section showing the construction of one of the apertures in the annular member for receiving the clamp or foliage stems.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, it will be seen that the numeral 10 generally designates the wreath of the present invention. The wreath It includes a generally annular member 12 that has a convex outer surface and a convex inner surface wherein the inner and outer edges of the annular member are provided with inner and outer tubes 14 and 16. The tubes 14 and 16 are rigidly secured to the annular member and include inwardly extending edges 18 in spaced relation thereby providing access into the interior of the annular member 12. A closure door 23) extends between the edges 18 with the outer edge thereof including a plurality of pairs of spaced and aligned projections 22 that are registerable with notches 24 in the outer edge 18. By positioning the closure 20 with the projections 22 aligned with the notches 24 and inserting one of the projections 22 therethrough and rotating the door 20 so that the projections 22 will be misaligned with the notches 24, the door 20 will 'be retained on the annular member 12 wherein the area between the concave inner surface and the forward flat surface of the door 20 forms a compartment for receiving moisture absorbent material 26 such as cotton, cellulose or the like.

and extending across the wreath 10 in spaced relation to the rear surface of the annular member 12. A removable panel 30 is retained against the inner surface of the innermost edge 18 by suitable clips 32. The panel 30 is partially transparent and may be provided with a scene or other message conveying material, such as the Nativity, as illustrated in Figure l. The inner tube 14 is provided with a plurality of electrical sockets 34 having bulbs 36 therein wherein the sockets or receptacles 34 extend into the interior of the tube 14 and are con nected to electrical conductors 38 wherein the light bulbs 36 may be illuminated, thereby illuminating the panel 30. The outermost tube 16 is provided with outwardly projecting electrical sockets or receptacles 40 having light bulbs 42 therein and connected to electrical conductors 44 at its inner end on the interior of the tube 16, thereby illuminating the plurality of bulbs 42 spaced about the outer periphery of the wreath 10. Suitable decorative material 46 may be provided about the periphery of the Wreath 10, thereby enhancing the appearance of the device.

Referring now specifically to Figures 1, 3 and 6, it will be seen that the annular member 12 is provided with a plurality of openings 46 that are formed in a plurality of.

radially spaced rows wherein each aperture 46 is formed of a small slit wherein one edge of the slit is bulged outwardly, as indicated by the numeral 48, wherein the opening is disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the front face of the annular member 12. The opening 46 receives stems 50 of plants or foliage 52 wherein the stems are so disposed that they are substantially longitudinal and lie againstthe forward face of the annular member 12 where they project outwardly from the opening 46 and lie against the underface of the annular member 12 where they project on the interior of the annular member 12. It will be seen that the stems 50 project into the moisture containing material 26 wherein the foliage or plants 52 will be retained in an unwilted or fresh and alive condition. It will be seen that all of the openings are disposed in the same manner, with the bulged portion 58 extending therefrom in the same direction wherein adjacent rows of foliage 52 positioned in the apertures 46 will overlap, thereby forming a continuous wreath of foliage about the center panel 30 thereby enhancing the appearance of the wreath.

in operation, the back 20 together with the recessed member 28 may be removed for changing the panel 30 and replacing the light bulbs 36 as may become necessary, and t e absorbent material 26 may be dampened by supplying water thereto. The foliage 52 is positioned through the apertures 46, thereby forming a complete ring of foliage or plants which may be flowers if desired, and the device can be connected to a suitable electrical outlet wherein the center panel 30 is illuminated and the lights about the periphery of the wreath 10 are also illuminated, thereby forming an attractive wreath. The moisture content of the material 26 will retain the flowers, plants or foliage in a live unwilted condition for a long period of time, thereby enhancing the utility of the device, Obviously, the device may be constructed of plastic or other suitable materials that are readily obtainable and readily inexpensive. The device may be utilized at various holiday seasons during the year by changing the panel 30 and may be used for display purposes in Patented Sept. 4, 1956 The door 20 has a recessed member 28 integrally formed therewith enemas a'fiorists shop, funeral parlors or the like. Further, the pane1s'30 may include messages such as poems or'the like. Further, the wreath may be constructed without the moisture retaining material wherein thedevice is constructed ofplas'tie or similar material with the foliage moldedon the outer surfaces thereof. 'fThisTform of the device will be entirely artificial and will not require a moisture. supply.

'From the foregoing, the construction and operation ofrthe device will be readily understood and 'further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to theexact construction shown and described, .and accordingly, .all suitable modifications and equivalents maybe resorted to, falling within the scope of the. appended .claim.

What'is claimed'as new is as follows:

.A wreath comprisinganannular member of generally semiacircular cross-sectional shape, .said annular member. having. an open rear surface and a plurality of apertures in the forward face thereof for receiving stems ofplants,.a removable closure plate detachably secured to the rear surface of the annular member and forming a closure for the rear surface, and absorbent material positioned in "the annular member "for providing moisture to the plants, said annular member being provided with an inner and outer peripheral tube for receiving an electrical conductor, and a plurality of electric receptacles secured to each of said tubes and connected to the con ductors for illuminating light bulbs positioned in the receptacle, said closure plate'extending completely across the interior of the annularsmember in recessed relation, a partially transparent panel detachably secured -to the recessed portion of the closure plate -in-spaced relation, said electrical receptacleswith the bulbs securedio the inner peripheral tube projecting between the panel and the recessed portion -of'..the.closurevplate for illuminating the panel, said panel having indicia thereon depicting a holiday panorama.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 179,751 Wilhelmi :-Iu1y .11, 1876 1,611,589 Janusek ..Dec. 21, 1926 1,812,116 Propp .'Iune.30,.-1:931 2,098,314 Shalomith ..Nov.* 9, .1937

2,323,090 Ireland "June 29,1943 

